John McNamara received his Ph.D. from Simon Fraser University in 2002. He is an associate professor and graduate chair in the Department of Child and Youth Studies at Brock University. His primary area of research is on the early identification and support of children with reading difficulties. John’s current research project is funded by the Canadian Council on Learning and explores how to support 3-year old children who are at-risk for language and learning difficulties. John is an active member of the academic community by serving as Departmental Graduate Chair and as a member of Brock’s Graduate Council. John has also been involved with the Canadian Society for Studies of Education by serving as co-president of the Canadian Committee of Students in Education (1999-2001) and by serving as the secretary treasurer for the Canadian Association of Educational Psychologists (2003 – present).

John Freeman, who received his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in 1998, is an Associate Professor at Queen’s University. An active member of the Canadian Association of Educational Psychology (CAEP) since 1990, he was newsletter editor from 1992-94, secretary-treasurer from 1993-94, and, more recently, CAEP’s representative on the new scholars awards committee (2005). He has also presented papers, served as a chair/discussant, and appeared on panels for CAEP. In addition, he has served as program chair (2002 and 2003 program years) and vice-president/newsletter editor (2005-present) of the Wholistic Education Special Interest Group within the American Educational Research Association. John’s research focuses on the social/motivational aspects of schooling in an effort to make schools more welcoming contexts for all students, most especially those students with learning disabilities. His publications have appeared in Learning Disabilities Research and Practice, Alberta Journal of Educational Research, and Elementary School Journal.